The first U.S. woman airline pilot was Helen Richey hired by Central Airlines, a United States airline, in 1934. She resigned 10 months later when the all-male pilots' union refused to accept her. Out of piloting work and nearly penniless, she committed suicide January 7, 1947. A woman airline pilot “Firsts” database is managed by the Ninety-Nines.

Accordion Widget

How many women airline pilots are there?

How many women airline pilots are there? Are there special requirements for women?

This number is constantly changing and thankfully growing. But it is still less than 5% around the world. See the document above for a more current breakdown.

In the early days of hiring women airline pilots there were many tests that we had to submit to, including strength tests. There was also a minimum height for pilots at most airlines. These requirements have mainly fallen by the wayside. The only requirement is that a prospective pilot can fly the simulator provided during the interview process without undue problems due to height or strength (ie. s/he can reach the rudder pedals and see over the dash, and control an airplane that has lost its hydraulic systems used to facilitate flying.) Pilots must be able to hold an FAA First Class Medical, including vision correctable to 20/20.

Accordion Widget

How many of those women are captains?

How many pilots does each airline have, how many women, and how many women captains? This number is ever changing, but this will give you an idea at the end of 2017.

What with growing airlines, downsizing airlines, upstarts, and bankruptcies, we can only speculate that the number is around 1500 women airline captains worldwide. We are still/always compiling... see the document breakdown above.

In the early days of hiring women airline pilots, there were many tests that we had to submit to including strength tests. There was also a minimum height for pilots at most airlines. These requirements have mainly fallen by the wayside. The only requirement is that a prospective pilot can fly the simulator provided during the interview process, without undue problems due to height or strength (i.e. she can reach the rudder pedals and see over the dash, and she can control an airplane that has lost it's hydraulic systems used to facilitate flying).

What does our organization say if the press contacts us about an airline incident or accident?

How does ISA+21 respond to an incident or accident?

It is contrary to ISA policy to provide media commentary on accidents, incidents, politicians or political positions. No member may present an opinion to the media representing ISA without authorization from the Board of Directors. Regarding requests for commentary on accidents or incidents in the aviation community,the following language may be used: “Our sympathy goes out to the family and friends of those involved in this terrible tragedy. Although I am an airline pilot, I'm not an accident investigator. It would be irresponsible for any of us to speculate on
what has occurred. The NTSB will be investigating and providing updates on the progress of the investigation.”

Accordion Widget

How did ISA+21 get its name?

How did ISA+21 get its name? What is the purpose of ISA+21 and why should you join?

In 1978 when ISA was founded, the original name was the International Social Affiliation of Women Airline Pilots. The founders wanted an acronym that somehow symbolized their group and was also used in the aviation community. They chose to use ISA, also an acronym for International Standard Atmosphere, and the appendage of +21, acknowledging the original 21 members. (Used in aviation, ISA+21 would mean that the atmosphere was 21 degrees above standard.) Over the years, the emphasis of the organization slowly melded into a professional as well as social organization and the members chose to stress that and changed "social" to "society".

ISA+21 is the world's largest single donor of advanced flight scholarships for women, annually awarding at least two aircraft type ratings and thousand of dollars of scholarship money to qualified women. The type ratings are highly competitive and are a major step in acquiring the job of airline pilot. Many of ISA's type rating winners have gone onto airline pilot careers.

Our members are active or retired airline pilots. We support active and aspiring pilots with career support and mentoring. We publish an electronic newsletter (members only) three or more times annually, and have an annual conference at various locations around the world. The last few years we have gathered for "play dates" to attend "Come From Away," an incredible Broadway play about one of our founding members, Beverley Bass.

We hope to create greater visibility, acceptance, and understanding of women airline pilots for the general public around the world. If you meet our membership requirements (listed on our website), we would love to have you join us and help us achieve our goals.

Our dues are only $44/year and the dollars go to support our website, bookkeeping/tax preparation, and outreach including a booth at Women in Aviation where we interview for our type scholarships.